Why is the connection between snow and Christmas so strong? Experts say it’s because songs, stories and images come back year after year and have created the tradition of an idealized white Christmas holiday.

Scientists have discovered that geckos have superhero powers. Apart from being able to run really fast and glide on trees, scientists say these agile reptiles can also run on water. This is accomplished by a combination of things: Biologist Robert Full at the University of California Berkeley says geckos wag their tails, slap their legs with the same kind of gait they use on land, and also stroke their arms, to swim. And in addition, their skin is water repellent.

Following far-reaching snowstorms from November and early December, a lack of Arctic air will generally limit the chances of a white Christmas to the northern tier states and the mountains of the West for Dec. 25, 2018.